Conor McGregor isn’t the only one who wants to dip his toe in the realm of boxing.
With talk intensifying of the most lucrative combat sports spectacle of all time coming to fruition, who can blame fighters from both boxing and MMA for trying to hype up potential cross-sport clashes of their own?
McGregor announced that they were “very close to inking” a deal which would see ‘The Notorious’ make his boxing debut against the retired 49-0 great and, considering the figures that are being discussed, it makes sense for other UFC fighters to follow McGregor’s example.
That’s exactly what Jimi Manuwa was thinking as the dust settled on his stunning knockout victory over Corey Anderson in the main event of UFC London on Saturday night.
A perfect left hook in the first round robbed Anderson of his senses and solidified Manuwa’s status as a legitimate contender to be reckoned with at light heavyweight.
And the official decision had barely left Bruce Buffer’s lips when ‘The Poster Boy’ issued an unexpected call-out.
“David Haye, let’s do this” Manuwa said in his post-fight interview.
"@mrdavidhaye lets do this"@POSTERBOYJM calls out the former heavyweight champ for a boxing showdown.🤔 #UFCLondon https://t.co/XYD6mHv0ui
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) March 18, 2017
Manuwa is firmly in the title frame at 205lbs and wants a shot at the winner of the upcoming title fight between Daniel Cormier and Anthony Johnson.
But, wanting to keep his options open, the 37-year-old dropped Haye’s name in the hope of getting fight fans interested in the prospect of witnessing the all-London showdown.
And in the post-fight press conference, Manuwa explained why a fight with the former world heavyweight and cruiserweight champion intrigued him so much.
“I’d probably go for the UFC title fight first, the winner of ‘DC’ and ‘Rumble’ but, at the same time, why not have a fight with David Haye?” Manuwa said.
JUST LIKE THAT! @POSTERBOYJM gets the job done with a huge KO! 👊 #UFCLondon https://t.co/KAF04obrez
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) March 18, 2017
“Two of the hardest hitters in London and I think that fight makes sense..
“Conor wants to fight Mayweather so why not have me and David Haye on the same card?”
While a UFC title shot would likely fulfil a career goal of Manuwa’s, there’s no doubting that a clash with Haye would represent Manuwa’s biggest payday to date.
Another money fight for ‘The Poster Boy’ would be a meeting with Jon Jones, who returns from a year-long suspension in July and could well leapfrog all contenders at 205lbs.
“I’m not interested in Jon Jones,” Manuwa said. “Jon Jones takes steroids, and he’s been banned for steroids. Before, I was a big fan of Jon and the things he’s done in the octagon. But he’s been suspended for one year because he’s had issues before.
“He’s a great fighter, and I respect him. But he’s been done for steroids, and that taints everything that he’s done. So I’m not really interested.
“When he comes back, I’ll fight him. No problem. But I’m focused on the belt right now, and that’s the winner of (Cormier vs. Johnson).”
